Attachment for automobile running boards



May 5, 1925. 1,536,223

' c. w. KOEHLER ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILE RUNNING BOARDS Filed Dec'. 20, 1923 INVENTOR. aw W1 BY. g Ct ATTORNEY.

Patented May 5, 1925.

CHARLES w. KOEHLER, or otnvmnn, omo.

ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILE RUNNING BOARDS.

Application filed December 20, 1923. Serial No. 681,885.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. KOEHLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Attachments for Automobile Running Boards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in attachments for automobile running boards and has for an object to provide a non-slip mat, the use of which is well known, with means whereby it will accommodate the irregularities of the usual and particularly the Ford running board, thereby providing a snugly fitting mat.

Another object is to eliminate the usual puckering and warping of the rubber mats which is due to the fact that they are not formed to properly fit the running board.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention and its modeof operation may be readily understood by persons skilled in the art, I have in the accompanying illustrative drawings, and in the following detailed description based thereon set out one possible embodiment of the same.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1. is a perspective view showing the application of my invention;

Fig. 2. is a bottom plan view thereof;

Fig. 3. is a detail perspective view showing1 the. channeled lower face of the mat; an

Fig. 4 is a detail section showing the manner in which the invention provides for a snug fit between the running board and mat.

In the usual running board, those found in the Ford type of machine, the upper surface is roughened through being corrugated or provided with raised portions such as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The mats and frames used to secure them to the running board are smooth faced on the lower side and consequently contact with the running board only at the raised points. These points total a considerably particularly less area than the spaces therebetween and.

results in irregular and improper fitting of the mat. The mat puckers and is irregular 1n formation causlng uneven wear and in addition is unsightly.

. tread surface.

tions formed thereon.

In the construction of the mat, there is included a body 5 which may be of any desired configuration, though preferably rectangular as illustrated. This body is provided upon its upper face with ribs, or

is otherwise roughened to form a reliable As clearly illustrated, the lower face is channeled, whereby to accommodate the aforementioned portions 9" and permit snug fitting of the mat and running,

board R. These channels 6 of course, provide ribs 7 which contact with the main portion of the running board and support the mat.

To provide for further satisfactory re- 30 sults, I have notched the lower edges of the end sections of the open clamping frame 8, these notches 9 being longitudinally alined with the channels 6 so as to co-act to the utmost in forming a properly fitting mat.

As has been stated, this articular formation provides for substantial supporting of the mat at every point and prevents puckering and other undesired results attendant to the ordinarily constructed mat of this charaoter.

Obviously certain changes in the minor details of construction may be made, and such changes as fall within the scope of my claims I consider my invention.

I claim:

1. An attachment for running boards of the character described. comprising a mat having a set of longitudinal parallel channels in its lower face to accommodate raised portions of the running board, an open frame taking over the edges of the mat to retain the same upon the board, and said frame being provided with notches alined with said channels to receive certain of raised portions on the running board as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A step for running boards having projections upon the tread surfaces thereof; said step comprising a rubber composition molded body portion having a set of parallel longitudinal channels in the lower face, said channels being continuous from end to end of the body portion and adapted to receive said projections whereby the remaining body portions Will rest upon the running board, and an open frame engaging the edge portions of said body to retain the same upon a running board, said frame having notches in the ends alined and co-aoting with said channels to receive said projec tions.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

CHARLES W. KOEHLER. 

